Friday, January 30

Ruth and Barb and Joe and I were all going to go to Yaounde today but this morning Ruth woke up sicker, coughing a lot, and Joe didn't feel well either. So Ruth put Barbara and me on a bus to go. I had made an appointment to meet the head of Methodist missions in Cameroon there. Don't worry, it wasn't the general populace bus which people pile onto with their chickens and all sorts of other produce. We have been warned about the danger of these buses to “strangers” in the country, especially one's vulnerability to expert pick-pocketers. This was more like a Greyhound bus in the U.S. We were told it was a three hour trip but it was really over four. On the way, as on so many occasions during our visit, we were stopped by the police. Everyone had to get off the bus and show their I.D.s, then walk forward on the highway several yards and wait for the bus there. It was explained to us that this is so the police can make sure that they did, indeed, see everyone's I.D., and that no I.D.s were shared amongst people. In order to walk that short distance we had to run the gauntlet of vendors who gather there because they know they will have access to travelers. Having accomplished that task, the bus pulled forward and we all boarded again.

When we arrived at Yaounde, two gentlemen were there to meet us, the assigned missionary from the Methodist Board of Global Missions and his assistant. We were delighted to make their acquaintance. They took us through Yaounde to the home of the former where we met his wife and one of the women who work there. Both were very dynamic women and a joy to chat with. The missionary and his wife are Congolese, who recently completed 10 years of service in Senegal. It was interesting to learn that in six short years Methodist personnel has created an extensive presence for the Methodist Church in Cameroon. They have over 20 congregations and an active ministry in AIDS and malaria prevention. They are hoping that 10 of their lay pastors will be ready to be ordained by the end of this year. They also hope that I can return to the Southwest Conference of the Methodist Church in the U.S. and build interest in a work party coming to Cameroon sometime to help build a church. At this point all the congregations meet in rented facilities.

The bus ride home seemed longer than the one to Yaounde though it is, the same distance both ways! We got home at about 9 p.m.